AHO WORKS STUDIES 2012-2013
Diploma Projects
Master of Industrial Design
RØDE KORS NORSKHJELPEN
ELISABETH SKJELTEN
Supervisor: Birger Sevaldson
Norwegian language is the key to social integration and an entry into the job market for immigrants. This is
why the Red Cross offers an activity where immigrants can practice oral Norwegian in groups. The activity
is going through a lot of development and the challenge in this project became designing a holistic plan for a
uniform language instruction facilitation system at Norskhjelpen.
Without guidelines and training it has been up to the individual volunteer to figure out how the groups are
to be facilitated. Great facilitation differences have arisen depending on the volunteers’ abilities and their mo-
tivation. The experiences for the participants are unpredictable, and vary from time to time depending on the
volunteer leading the group.
Mapping was used in different variations in a co-creative process with participants, volunteers and employ-
ees to explore and develop Norskhjelpen. The result of this project is about defining what Norskhjelpen will
change into and how to achieve these changes. The delivery is therefore split into several parts, where each part
is connected, with a goal to create a unified Norskhjelpen.
the different parts of the delivery are:
•
An implementation plan: a plan to implement the Norskhjelpen method so that the right measures are done
in the right order.
•
Norskhjelpen guidelines: a definition of what Norskhjelpen should be that gives guidelines for all further work.
•
A definition of the method: oral practice of Norwegian through simple exercises, games, drawing and role-play.
The activity will be unique in offering an oral Norwegian training arena.
•
Norskhjelpen volunteers’ pocket guide: A guide for new and existing volunteers about Norskhjelpen and the
method as well as suggested activities.
•
Two material concepts: word cards and a visualisation board.
•
A visualisation of the new user journey.
•
A mapping of incentives and ideas to further develop Norskhjelpen after this project.
